News from "The Bell-Ringer"

GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER FOR THE SUMMER FAIR!

Fair: Sat. June 14, 8:30-2:00, auction @ 10 am
Downstairs available as of Tues, May 20^th (to bring in your small stuff!) mobile storage available as of Tues. May 27^th (to bring in your big stuff)
Haul Weekend: Sat. June 7 (to pick up your ‘big stuff’ by the A-team!) 

We hope you have been working hard on those plant clippings during the past beautiful weeks to donate to the Plant Area, because we need lots!
In addition to pretty antiques, silverware, etc., collectibles (Troy Riley!) is asking you to also look through your formal unused table linens to donate — as soon as you can, after May 20^th — because they will all get washed, ironed & put together in pretty bundles!
And of course, start putting aside good stuff for White Elephant (incl. children!), jewelry, books, “manly things” for the Father’s Day area, and auction items!
NO large appliances, mattresses, children’s car seats, exercise machines, computers or large area rugs will be accepted!
Children’s Craft Area:  All chairs are in place (thank you, thank you!) except for the children’s craft area. Great ideas for activities are flowing and yes, there will be a clown this year with face-painting and balloons from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, but who will step up to the plate to set up & oversee this wonderful area? After 6 years, chairing the children’s area, Heidi & Colleen moved on to chair the bake table this year so, you have some big shoes to fill but, it is worth it!
Theme Basket Raffle – Come Join the Fun! Join in on the fun and creativity in filling a theme basket to be raffled off at the First Parish Summer Fair. We welcome all First Parish families and friends to participate in creating baskets for this exciting new fair event! Donations of one item, a gift certificate, a service you can provide or even an entire basket are welcome! If we could all donate one item, imagine all the baskets we could make and the money we could raise! What a great opportunity to involve the whole family, the children, a committee or a Small Group! This Sun., May 4, a table will be put up in the assembly hall with tags. Please chose a tag with a theme on it and start bringing in your donations or a whole basket. All proceeds from the raffle benefit First Parish Church and are tax deductible. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to call Raffle Chair, Donna Clifford.  Fair information/questions/ideas? Call Caroline Mitchell or email grahamandcaroline(at)yahoo.com

 A MESSage from the Treasurer

June 30 is the end of the FY08 accounting year.  There are some pledges that have not been completed yet.  In May notices will go out as to where individuals stand, but if you would like to know before that time, please give me a call  or email me at  clarkland(at)verizon.net.  If you have a bit of time you could give to the church I am seeking help with any number of tasks.  For this you can call, email or speak to me and perhaps we can find something that you could help me do.  Thanks

Nancy Landgren

NATIVE PLANTS ARE TOPIC FOR ALLIANCE

Alliance Meeting May 14, 2008 @ Cedar Hill Retreat Center.  Native Plants for Wildlife owner Nancy Collins will be our guest.  She will give a very brief presentation on the ecological advantages of planting indigenous wild flowers  and grasses & will have seasonal samples on hand for sale. The meeting will begin promptly @ 12:00 pm, beginning w/ Nancy’s presentation & sale of plants. Pizza, salad, desserts & beverages will be served after Nancy’s presentation, by hosts Phil & Louise Balboni and Miriam Wickham.  Members are asked to come prepared to purchase plants from Nancy’s inventory, or bring flowers or gift certificates to Flowerland or other local nurseries, for planting at Cedar Hill. The meeting will begin with Nancy’s presentation as she must leave by 1:30 pm due to family obligations.

 LONG RANGE PLAN TO BE PRESENTED JUNE 1^ST

After several years of work, a Long-Range Plan for the church has been developed and has been accepted by the Governing Board. The Long-Range Planning Committee will present it for discussion and approval by the congregation at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 1st. Copies are available at the church office, if you did not receive one by email. Please take some time to review this document and come to the annual meeting.

CHILD NAMING & DEDICATION SERVICE

A child naming ceremony will be held during the Worship Service on June 15^th.  Parents, the church school and congregation welcome the child and dedicate themselves to the important work of supporting parents in raising their child.  Please call Marty Kearns at the church office to let her know if you would like your child dedicated at this service.

WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEES SURVEY RESULTS

The Worship Committee has written a summary of the results of the survey that was done last February.  It has been emailed to all parishioners who have email and copies are also available at church for those who don't have email. The Worship and Music Committees have discussed the results and benefited from the thoughts and feelings expressed.  Please feel free at any time to share your thoughts and ideas about worship and music with members of the committee (listed on the summary).

CHANGES IN OUR OFFICE SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES

When you call or visit the office, you may notice some changes. They're intended to make doing the church's business quicker, easier, more efficient and less costly for all of us. We hope you'll take them in the spirit in which they're meant and that you'll let us know what you think of them.
PHONE SYSTEM: We have a new, automated phone system, and although we understand that not getting a “human voice” is a change, the new system is allowing much more efficient use of the Church Administrator's time. When you call in, you don’t have to listen to the entire greeting. You may simply push the extension number you want to reach right away: 2 for Marty Kearns, Church Administrator, 3 for Rev. Cullen, 4 for Director of Religious Education Sunsue Fleming, or if you know there is a function or meeting occurring in the Church & there is someone you may need to speak to, press 5, as this rings on the kitchen phone.

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current Bell-Ringer

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April 28 Bell-Ringer

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An archive of past Bell-Ringers is accessible at the bottom of this page.

Church calendar:

Recurring Events

EVERY SUNDAY
    Senior Choir, 9:00 a.m.
    Children’s Choir, 9:45 a.m.
EVERY TUESDAY
    Handbells, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
    Memoirs, 7:15 p.m.
    Recorders, 8:30 p.m.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
    Staff Meeting, 11:00 a.m.
EVERY THURSDAY
    Book Group, 9:00 a.m.
    Sewing Group, 10:00 a.m.
                     *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
    Buddhist Group – 1^st & 3^rd Sundays @ 7 p.m.
   YADUUDE Mtgs. – 2^nd & 4^th Sundays @ 7 p.m.
    Brown Bag Lunch with minister - 2nd & 4th Weds. 11:30 a.m.
    Senior Men – 1^st & 3^rd Thursdays @ 11:00 a.m.

THE CARING CONNECTION
Did you know there are many caring members of our church community who are willing to lend a hand to those having a difficult time?  The Caring Connection can co-ordinate meals, transportation, babysitting or visits to shut-ins For May call Stefanie Middleton, email: stefmid(at)comcast.net, or the Church Office, (781)-934-6532